Funeral services for Irene Elizabeth Enstad of Albert Lea will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Kurt Farrell will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in St. Theodore Cemetery.

Irene died Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. She was 100 years, 8 months and 25 days old. She was always very proud of her age.

Irene was born Dec. 22, 1916, to William and Mary (Huber) Sippel, the second youngest of six children. Irene was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith at St. Theodore Catholic Church. She grew up on the family farm near Manchester, attending District 18 country school. She then attended school in Albert Lea through her high school years, graduating in 1936.

Irene worked with her sister, Laura, cleaning for her uncle Charly and others, especially the casino and pool hall owned by Ed Murtaugh. During World War II she was employed by American Gas Co. of Albert Lea.

Irene married Leonard W. Enstad on Nov. 20, 1945, at St. Theodore Catholic Church. She lived at her home for more than 60 years, spending the last few years with her daughter. Irene enjoyed gardening and had a prize-winning vegetable garden. Taking vegetables and apples to the fair was a highlight for her. Irene enjoyed her children’s 4-H and horse activities and was a 4-H gardening leader.

Loving children, Irene spent many hours doing childcare for all her special families. She was also lunch and playground supervisor at Lakeview Elementary School in the 1970s, a job she loved. Irene cherished spending time with her four grandchildren, going to all their many activities and watching them grow up. Being a member of St. Theodore, she enjoyed helping at many church activities, especially the antique show. She was a member of Guild 13 at St. Theodore. Irene loved belonging to the Senior Center, making greeting cards, playing bingo and bunco, baking and hosting coffee parties and dinners. With such a positive attitude and fun disposition, she was a joy to be around. Her dedication to her family, church and friends was so important to her. She will be greatly missed. God bless her memory.

Irene is survived by her daughter, Diane (Wayne) Schlosser; daughter-in-law, Jean Enstad; grandchildren Robert and Ryan Schlosser, Anna (Patrick) Fischer and David Enstad (Destany Pehler); sisters-in-law Jessie Enstad and Marge Sippel; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leonard, in 2001; son, Daniel, in 2016; sisters Laura, Louise and Julia; brothers Albert and Robert; brother and sister-in-laws; and several nieces and nephews.